China's regulators have blocked Meta's $2 billion acquisition of AI start-up Manus, requiring the parties to withdraw the transaction.

• The deal, announced in late December, aimed to integrate Manus' AI agents to enhance Meta's platforms.
• The decision came from Beijing's National Development and Reform Commission.
• Manus, founded in China but now based in Singapore, claims to develop "truly autonomous" AI agents capable of planning and executing tasks independently.

A growing number of users are frustrated with the presence of AI-generated music on Spotify, leading to the development of third-party tools to filter it out.

• Software developer Cedrik Sixtus created a tool to label and block suspected AI music, which has been downloaded by hundreds.
• Spotify has introduced a voluntary feature showing AI use in song credits but acknowledges it is not a complete solution.
• Competitors like Deezer have implemented stricter policies, including tagging AI-generated tracks and excluding them from recommendations, while Apple Music plans similar transparency tags.

Japan Airlines (JAL) is trialing humanoid robots at Tokyo’s Haneda airport for ground handling tasks to alleviate employee workload.

• The two-year trial begins in May, initially focusing on loading and unloading cargo containers using Chinese-made robots.
• Key organizations involved are Japan Airlines (JAL) and its partner GMO AI & Robotics.
• This initiative addresses Japan’s aviation industry labor shortage, exacerbated by increased tourism and a declining working-age population, with potential future uses including cabin cleaning and operating ground support equipment.